Fluidic controlled refill system

ABSTRACT

A fluidically controlled refill system which automatically maintains the flow of the refill fluid until a predetermined liquid level or fluid pressure is achieved in the container to be filled. The system includes a diaphragm which interacts with the main valve to hold the valve in the open position during the filling operation, and a fluid switching device which causes the pressure on the diaphragm to decrease in response to predetermined conditions and thus close the main valve.

United States Patent Fichter [is] 3,654,957 51 Apr. 11, 1972 [54]FLUIDIC CONTROLLED REFILL SYSTEM [72] Inventor: Barry Fichter, Dunellen,NJ.

[73] Assignee: American Standard Inc., New York, NY.

[22] Filed: Sept. 16, 1969 [21] Appl. No.: 858,326

[52] U.S. Cl ..137/596.l4, 137/815 [51] Int. Cl. ..F15c3/06,F16k31/145[58] FieldoiSeai-ch ..137/596.14,596.15,8l.5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,984,218 5/ 1 961Christianson ..137/596.15 3,124,999 3/1964 Woodward ..137/81.5 X3,232,316 2/1966 Carlisle ..137/596.l5 3,339,571 9/1967 Hatch, Jr...137/81.5

Wilkerson 1 37/8 1 .5

3,444,877 5/1969 Atchley 3,460,554 8/1969 Johnson 3,489,181 1/1970Boothe ..137/8l.5

Primary Examiner-Samuel Scott Attorney-Sheldon H. Parker, Tennes 1.Erstad and Robert G. Crooks [57] ABSTRACT A fluidically controlledrefill system which automatically 11 Claims, 9 Drawing FiguresPATENTEDAPR 1 1 1972 3,654,957

sum 1- 0F 3 \M 1... 4 A 1 M: fill... m m 2 x f 'BY mvsu'rozz. I BarryFic fer ATTORNEY PATENTEDAPR 11 I972 I SHEET 2 BF 3 --+TANK REFILL-QVENTILATION FLUIDIC CONTROLLED REFILL SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a fluidrefill system, and, more particularly, to such a system which iscontrolled by a fluidic switching mechanism.

2. Description of the Prior Art The need for an efficient, reliablerefill system for a variety of applications has long existed. Forexample, the various types of refill devices normally used in waterclosets are characteristically noisy, and are subjected to excessivewear. Also they do not normally stay in the full open position duringthe entire filling operation, but rather have to begin a slow closeprocedure well before the tank is completely full. Furthermore, thesevalves require the use of a large float and a lever arm mechanism, etc.,which are relatively bulky in size and expensive to manufacture andassemble.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the presentinvention to provide a refill system which is inexpensive, efficient andreliable, as well as being relatively quiet and durable.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a refillsystem that may be maintained completely in the open position during theentire refill cycle, and then closed in a relatively short time to stopthe refill cycle.

Briefly summarized, the system of the present invention comprises afirst conduit connecting an inlet and outlet for the tank to be filled,valve means disposed in said first conduit and normally closed toprevent flow therethrough, a fluid chamber, means in said fluid chamberresponsive to a predetermined fluid pressure in said fluid chamber formoving said valve means to an open position, a second conduit adapted todirectly connect said inlet to said fluid chamber to establish saidpredetermined pressure in said fluid chamber, a flow switching chamberconnected between said first conduit and said fluid chamber and normallypermitting fluid flow therebetween to maintain said predeterminedpressure in said fluid chamber, and switching means in said flowswitching chamber responsive to a predetermined fluid flow from saidoutlet for switching fluid flow to and from said fluid chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference is now made to theaccompanying drawings for a better understanding of the nature andobjects of the refill system of the present invention, which drawingsillustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out theobjects of the invention and its principles, and are not to be construedas restrictions or limitations on its scope. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the refill system of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 2-5 are schematic illustrations of modifications of the refillmechanism according to the present invention; and

FIGS. 6-9 are partial schematic illustrations depicting variousarrangements of the main valve and its associated structure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The refill system of thepresent invention will be described in connection with the refilling ofthe main tank of a water closet by means of example, it being understoodthat it can be applied to any other related device. As shown in FIG. 1,a water inlet 10 is adapted to supply water to an outlet 12 by means ofa conduit 14 and its branches 14a and 1412, it being understood that theinlet 10 is connected to the main water source and that the outlet '12empties into the main tank of the closet. A secondary outlet 12a extendsfrom the main outlet 12 and may be used in this environment to supplysome water flow directly to the water closet bowl to wash down thelatter during the tank refill operation.

I A slidably operated valve member 16 has a head portion 16a adapted toengage a reduced section in the conduit 14 to control the flow of fluidbetween the inlet 10 and the outlet 12. A shoulder portion 16b is formedon the valve member 16 and is connected to a diaphragm 20 disposed in afluid chamber 22, the purpose of the latter being described in detaillater.

A conduit 24 branches from the conduit 14 and connects the inlet 10 tothe fluid chamber 22. A second valve member 26, having a head portion26a adapted to cooperate with a reduced section of the conduit 24controls the flow of fluid through the conduit 24. The valve member 26is actuated by manually pressing its plunger portion 26b to start therefill operation, it being understood that it can be connected bylinkage, etc., to also initiate the bowl flushing operation, in a knownmanner.

A branch of the conduit 14 extends into a fluidic switching mechanismcomprising a nozzle 30 communicating with the branch 14c, a pair ofoutlet conduits 32 and 34, and a vent tube 36 acting as a control forswitching the flow in the nozzle 30 between the outlets 32 and 34 inresponse to predetermined conditions. The design of the fluidicswitching device is such that the flow normally passes from the nozzle30 into the bypass conduit 34. However, when the vent tube 36 is open,air will enter the nozzle 30 and, due to an aspiration effect created,the flow is switched to the conduit 32. The free end of the vent tube 36extends to a predetermined depth into the tank to be filled, which depthsubstantially corresponds to the level of water desired in the tank, andflow will continue through the conduit 32 until this end of the venttube is blocked by the water in the tank. When this occurs, theaspiration effect is terminated, and water flow switches to its normalpath through the outlet conduit 34. The outlet 32 communicates with thefluid chamber 22 and permits flow into the latter which will act on thediaphragm 20 and maintain the valve 16 in its open position despite therelease of the plunger 26b. The outlet 34 is utilized as a bypassconduit and may empty directly into the water tank in the same manner asthe main outlet 12.

In operation of the system of FIG. 1, the valve members 16 and 26 arenormally in their closed positions as shown by the solid lines in FIG.1, and the system is actuated by manually depressing the plunger portion26b of the valve 26 which, via the associated linkages, etc., emptiesthe tank and causes its head portion 26a to move into the position shownby the dotted lines, and thus permit water to flow from the inlet 10through the conduit 24 and into the water chamber 22. A predeterminedpressure then builds up in the chamber which moves the valve 16downwardly as viewed in FIG. 1, whereby its head portion 16a will moveto the position shown by the dotted lines, to permit direct water flowfrom the inlet 10, through the conduit 14 and its branches 14a and 14b,and into the outlets l2 and 12a.

A portion of the flow through the conduit 14 will flow into the conduit14c and into the nozzle 30 of the fluid switching mechanism. Since thetank is relatively empty at this point, air from the vent tube 36 willcause the flow from the nozzle 30 to pass into and through the conduit32 and into the fluid chamber 22. Thus, the plunger 26b may be releasedand will move back to its closed position under the pressure of thewater acting on its head portion 26a, while the above mentioned pressurewill still be maintained in the fluid chamber 22. Flow continues in theabove manner until the free end of the vent tube 26a is blocked as aresult of the water attaining a predetermined height in the tank, inwhich case flow is switched from the conduit 32 to the bypass conduit34, thus relieveing the pressure on the diaphragm 20. This causes thevalve 16 to move to its closed position under the water pressure fromthe inlet 10, and thus cut off the supply of water from the inlet 10.

The embodiment of FIG. 2 is basically similar to that of FIG. 1 andtherefore identical structure will be given the same reference numerals.In this embodiment a plunger portion extends upwardly from the shoulder16b of the valve member 16 and is adapted to be manually actuated bypushing it downwardly as viewed in FIG. 2 in order to start the flushingoperation as described above. As a result, the head portion 16a of thevalve 16 moves to its open position, as shown by the dotted lines andpermits a direct connection between the inlet and the outlets. 12 and12a, via the conduit 14 and its branches 14a and 14b.

In operation of the embodiment of FIG. 2, the plunger is manuallyactuated as described above and held in that position while water flowflows from the inlet 10 to the outlets 12 and 12a, and via the branch140 into the nozzle 30 of the fluid switching mechanism. The empty tankwill permit air to pass through the vent tube 36 into the nozzle 30, andthus switch the flow to the outlet conduit 32 and into the fluid chamber22 whereby it applies a pressure upon the diaphragm 22 to hold the valve16 in its open position. At this point the operator can feel that theplunger 16a may be released and still permit the inlet 10 and theoutlets 12 and 12a to be connected. As in the previous embodiment, theflow of water from the inlet 16 through the outlets 12 and 12a continuesuntil the fluid level in the tank reaches the open end of the vent tube36, whereby the fluid flow is switched from the conduit 32 to conduit34. This relieves the pressure applied on the diaphragm 20 and causesthe valve head 16a to move to a closed position as shown by the solidlines due to the water pressure exerted thereon from the inlet 10.

The embodiment of FIG. 3 is identical to the embodiment of FIG. 2 withthe exception that the fluidic switching device has a flow reversalsection 40 communicating with the nozzle 30, and a conduit 42 connectingthe section 40 with the outlet conduit 32. In this embodiment, duringthe refill operation the water normally passes from the nozzle 30 intothe conduit 32 by virtue of the air supplied into the nozzle 30 via thevent tube 36. However, when air flow through the vent tube 36 is blockedby the water reaching a predetermined level in the tank, the flow fromthe nozzle 30 is switched into the flow reversal section 40 whichsubstantially blocks water flow. This relieves the pressure in thechamber 22 and thus causes the valve 16 to move to its closed positionas shown by its solid lines, which terminates the refill operation. Theconduit 42 permits a relatively small portion of water flow between thenozzle 30 and the chamber 22 to permit a gradual shutdown of the systemand thus reduce or eliminate a water hammer which could otherwise occuras a result of a sudden shutting of the valve 26.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, an inlet 50 is directly connected to thenozzle 70 of a flow switching device by means of a conduit 54. A valvemember 56 is disposed in the conduit 54 and has a head portion 56aadapted to engage a reduced portion in the conduit 54 in its closedposition as shown by the solid lines. A shoulder 56b is provided on thevalve 56 which is connected to a diaphragm 60 disposed in a fiuidchamber 62, as in the previous embodiments.

A plunger 560 is provided on the valve 56 and is adapted to be manuallypushed upwardly as viewed in FIG. 4 to the position shown by the dottedlines to initially start the refill system.

The nonle 70 is adapted to switch water flow between a pair of outletconduits 52 and 74 in response to a signal from a vent tube 76 whichextends into the tank to be refilled and which operates as in theprevious embodiments. Specifically, when the water level in the tank hasnot reached the end of the vent tube, water will flow through theconduit 52 and directly into the tank. A portion of this flow will betapped by a conduit 78 and directed into the bottom portion of the fluidchamber 62 to cause the valve 56 to remain in its open position despiterelease of the plunger 560 by the operator. When the fluid in the tankreaches the end of the vent tube 76, the water flow is switched to theoutlet conduit 74 thus relieveing the pressure in the chamber 62 andcausing the valve 56 to move to its closed position as shown by thesolid lines, which terminates the refill operation. It is noted thatthis arrangement is ideally suited for connecting the conduit 74 to aventilating apparatus for the water closet, in a known manner.

The embodiment of FIG. 5 is designed so that it provides a single outletfor the fluid flow. Particularly, an inlet 80 registers with a conduit84, with the head portion 86a of a valve 86 adapted to cooperate with aseat formed adjacent the conduit 84 to control the flow of fluidtherethrough. A diaphragm 90 is disposed in a fluid chamber 92 and isattached to a shoulder portion 86b of the valve 86. A plunger 86c isformed on the valve and is adapted to be pulled upwardly as viewed inFIG. 5 to move the head portion 86a to an open position as shown by thedotted lines.

A nozzle of a fluid switching device is in communication with theconduit 84 and with two outlet conduits 102 and 104, both of whichregister with a single outlet 106. A vent tube 108 is provided whichoperates as in the previous embodiments to switch flow between theoutlet conduits 102 and 104. During the refill operation, water flowsfrom the nozzle 100 into the conduit 102 by virtue of the air'suppliedby the vent tube 108. A large portion of the flow from conduit 102 isdirected into the main outlet 106, and a small portion of the flowpasses, via a conduit 110, into the bottom portion of the fluid chamber90 to exert an upwardly extending pressure on the diaphragm 90 andprovide the necessary force to maintain the valve member 86 in its openposition despite a later release of the plunger 86c. When the fluidlevel in the tank reaches the height of the free end of the vent tube108 and thereby blocks the flow of air, the flow of water from thenozzle 100 is diverted into the conduit 104 and flows directly into theoutlet 106. The pressure exerted upwardly on the diaphragm 90 is thusrelieved and the force of the water flowing from the inlet 80 downwardlyonto the head portion 86a of the valve 86 will cause the latter to moveinto its closed position and thus ter minate the refill operation.

It can be appreciated that several modifications of the exact structureand particular arrangement of the valve members and their associatedstructure can be made within the scope of the above invention. Forexample, the embodiment of FIG. 6 is identical to the embodiment of FIG.5, with the exception that the valve 86 has an enlarged portion 86dforming a shoulder which is engaged by a spring which applies a force inaddition to the force applied by the water pressure from the inlet 80,to urge the valve 86 into its downward closed position. This, of course,will cause the valve to seat firmly and will eliminate any flowtherethrough after the fluid level in the tank has reached itspredetermined level.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7 a spring 122 is provided between theshoulder 86b and the upper wall of the chamber 92 to urge the valve head(not shown) against its seat, as in the previous embodiment.

The embodiment of FIG. 8 is similar to that of FIG. 5, but is designedto permit a slower closing of the valve 86. Specifically, the upperportion of the chamber 92 contains fluid and is in communication with adash pot 124 via a restricted conduit 126. The arrangement is such thatfluid in the upper chamber portion must flow through the conduit 126into the dash pot 124 when the valve 86 moves upwardly to its openposition as viewed in FIG. 8. Conversely, the fluid must flow from thedash pot through the conduit 126, and into the upper portion of thechamber 92 when the valve 86 moves downwardly into a closed portion. Inthis manner, a slower closing of the valve is achieved by virtue of thepressure of the dash pot 124 and the conduit 126, thus eliminating thewater hammer problem described above which is normally associated withrapid closing valves.

A still further variation of the arrangement of FIG. 5 is shown in theembodiment of FIG. 9 in which the conduit 110 has an enlarged portion110a containing a ball valve 130. Two other portions 11% and 1100 of theconduit 110 connect the portion 110a to the chamber 92 and to theconduit 102, respectively. A plurality of flutes or grooves (not shown)are formed in the portion 11% of the conduit 110. In this manner, whenwater flows through the conduit 110 into the fluid chamber 92, the ballvalve 130 is urged towards a seat defined by the conduit portion 110b,whereby water will flow rapidly through the flutes formed in the latterportion and into the chamber 92. When fluid is switched from the conduit102 and therefore from the conduit 110, the fluid in the lower portionof the chamber 92 will begin to flow through the conduit 110 into theconduit 102. The ball valve 130 will thus be forced against a seatformed by the conduit portion 110C. The diameter of the ball valve 110can be designed so that a small fluid flow will be permitted in thelatter position of the ball valve so that the valve 86 will closegradually and thus prevent a water hammer.

It can be appreciated that several other variations of the above systemmay be made within the scope of the present invention. For example,other types of valve heads can be used other than those shown in theembodiments of FIGS. 1-5, such as ball valves connected to the stemportions. Also, the vent tubes disclosed above may be made adjustable tovary the desired water level in the tank and can be in the form of avacuum line, or the like. Also, the variations of FIGS. 6-9 can beapplied to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-4 as well as to the embodiment ofFIG. 5.

Of course, other variations of the specific construction and arrangementof the refill system disclosed above can be made by those skilled in theart without departing from the invention as defined in the appendedclaims.

l claim:

1. Apparatus for controlling fluid flow between an inlet and at leastone outlet, said apparatus comprising a first conduit connecting saidinlet and outlet, valve means disposed in said first conduit andnormally closed to prevent flow therethrough, a fluid chamber, means insaid fluid chamber responsive to a predetermined fluid pressure in saidfluid chamber for moving said valve means to an open position, a secondconduit adapted to directly connect said inlet to said fluid chamber toestablish said predetermined pressure in said fluid chamber, a fluidicflow switching chamber having at least one stable state and connectedbetween said first conduit and said fluid chamber and normallypermitting fluid flow therebetween to maintain said predeterminedpressure in said fluid chamber, and switching means in said fluidic flowswitching chamber responsive to a predetermined fluid flow from saidoutlet for switching fluid flow to and from said fluid chamber.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a third conduitregistering with said fluidic flow switching chamber, said switchingmeans adapted to switch fluid flow from between said fluid chamber andsaid third conduit.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an additional valve meansdisposed in said second conduit, said additional valve means adapted tobe manually actuated to connect said inlet to said fluid chamber.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flow switching chambercomprises,

a power nozzle,

a first switching chamber conduit,

a second switching chamber conduit and a control port conduit,

said first switching chamber conduit being connected between said flowswitching chamber and said fluid chamber to permit fluid flow betweensaid flow switching chamber and said fluid chamber to maintain saidpredetermined pressure in said fluid chamber,

said flow switching chamber power nozzle being arranged to receive flowfrom said first conduit,

said control port conduit being arranged to control flow in said flowswitching chamber first conduit and said flow switching chamber secondconduit by deflecting the fluid flow through said power nozzle from afirst position in which said flow is directed toward said flow switchingchamber first conduit to a second position in which said flow isdirected towards said flow switching chamber second conduit, saidcontrol port conduit being said switching means in said flow switchingchamber responsive to a predetermined fluid flow.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said switching means comprises ventmeans registering with said flow switching chamber, and adapted tosupply air to said chamber to permit fluid flow between said firstconduit and said fluid chamber.

6. Apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a tank for said fluid, saidvent means extending into said tank and adapted to be submerged upon thefluid reaching a predetermined level in said tank to restrict the supplyof air to said chamber to effect said switching.

7. Apparatus for controlling fluid flow between an inlet and at leastone outlet, said apparatus comprising a conduit connecting said inletand outlet, valve means disposed in said conduit and normally closed toprevent flow therethrough, actuating means directly connected to saidvalve means for moving said valve means to an open position, a fluidchamber, means in said fluid chamber responsive to a predetermined fluidpressure in said chamber for maintaining said valve means in said openposition, a fluidic flow switching chamber having at least one stablestate and connected between said conduit and said fluid chamber andnormally permitting fluid flow therebetween to maintain saidpredetermined pressure in said fluid chamber, and switching means insaid fluidic flow switching chamber responsive to a predetermined fluidflow from said outlet for switching fluid flow to and from said fluidchamber, and an additional conduit registering with said fluidic flowswitching chamber, said switching means adapted to switch fluid flowfrom between said fluid chamber and said additional conduit.

8. Apparatus for controlling fluid flow between an inlet and at leastone outlet, said apparatus comprising a conduit connecting said inletand outlet, valve means disposed in said conduit and normally closed toprevent flow therethrough, actuating means directly connected to saidvalve means for moving said valve means to an open position, a fluidchamber, means in said fluid chamber responsive to a predetermined fluidpressure in said chamber for maintaining said valve means in said openposition, a fluidic flow switching chamber having at least one stablestate and connected between said conduit and said fluid chamber andnormally permitting fluid flow therebetween to maintain saidpredetermined pressure in said fluid chamber, and switching means insaid fluidic flow switching chamber responsive to a predetermined fluidflow from said outlet for switching fluid flow to and from said fluidchamber, and a tank for said fluid, said actuating means comprising aplunger extending outwardly from said tank and adapted to be actuatedmanually.

9. Apparatus for controlling fluid flow between an inlet and at leastone outlet, said apparatus comprising a conduit connecting said inletand outlet, valve means disposed in said conduit and normally closed toprevent flow therethrough, actuating means directly connected to saidvalve means for moving said valve means to an open position, a fluidchamber, means in said fluid chamber responsive to a predetermined fluidpressure in said chamber for maintaining said valve means in said openposition, a fluidic flow switching chamber having at least one stablestate and connected between said conduit and said fluid chamber andnormally permitting fluid flow therebetween to maintain saidpredetermined pressure in said fluid chamber, and switching means insaid fluidic flow switching chamber responsive to a predetermined fluidflow said outlet for switching fluid flow to and from said fluidchamber, and said switching means comprising a vent means registeringwith said fluidic flow switching chamber, and adapted to supply air tosaid chamber to permit fluid flow between said first conduit and saidfluid chamber, and a tank for said fluid, said vent means extending intosaid tank and adapted to be submerged upon the fluid reaching apredetermined level in said tank to restrict the supply of air to saidchamber to effect said switching.

10. Apparatus for controlling fluid flow between an inlet and at leastone outlet, said apparatus comprising a conduit connecting said inletand outlet, valve means disposed in said conduit and normally closed toprevent flow therethrough, ac-

mating means directly connected to said valve means for moving saidvalve means to an open position, a fluid chamber, means in said fluidchamber responsive to a predetermined fluid pressure in said chamber formaintaining said valve means in said open position, a fluidic flowswitching chamber having at least one stable state and connected betweensaid conduit and said fluid chamber and normally permitting fluid flowtherebetween to maintain said predetermined pressure in said fluidchamber, and switching means in said fluidic flow switching chamberresponsive to a predetermined fluid flow from said outlet for switchingfluid flow to and from said fluid chamber, and said means formaintaining said valve means in said open position comprising adiaphragm disposed in said fluid chamber and connected to said valvemeans, said diaphragm being movable in response to changes in fluidpressure in said chamber, and a dash pot connected to said fluid chamberfor controlling the rate of fluid flow from said chamber.

11. Apparatus for controlling fluid flow between an inlet and at leastone outlet, said apparatus comprising a conduit connecting said inletand outlet, valve means disposed in said conduit and normally closed toprevent flow therethrough, actuating means directly connected to saidvalve means for moving said valve means to an open position, a fluidchamber, means in said fluid chamber responsive to a predetermined fluidpressure in said chamber for'maintaining said valve means in said openposition, a fluidic flow switching chamber having at least one stablestate and connected between said conduit and said fluid chamber andnormally permitting fluid flow therebetween to maintain saidpredetermined pressure in said fluid chamber, and switching means insaid fluidic flow switching chamber responsive to a predetermined fluidflow from said outlet for switching fluid flow to and from said fluidchamber, and said means for maintaining said valve means in said openposition comprising a diaphragm disposed in said fluid chamber andconnected to said valve means, said diaphragm being movable in responseto changes in fluid pressure in said chamber, and an additional conduitconnecting said fluidic flow switching chamber and said fluid chamber,and a ball valve disposed in said additional conduit for controlling therate of fluid flow from said chamber.

1. Apparatus for controlling fluid flow between an inlet and at leastone outlet, said apparatus comprising a first conduit connecting saidinlet and outlet, valve means disposed in said first conduit andnormally closed to prevent flow therethrough, a fluid chamber, means insaid fluid chamber responsive to a predetermined fluid pressure in saidfluid chamber for moving said valve means to an open position, a secondconduit adapted to directly connect said inlet to said Fluid chamber toestablish said predetermined pressure in said fluid chamber, a fluidicflow switching chamber having at least one stable state and connectedbetween said first conduit and said fluid chamber and normallypermitting fluid flow therebetween to maintain said predeterminedpressure in said fluid chamber, and switching means in said fluidic flowswitching chamber responsive to a predetermined fluid flow from saidoutlet for switching fluid flow to and from said fluid chamber.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 further comprising a third conduit registering withsaid fluidic flow switching chamber, said switching means adapted toswitch fluid flow from between said fluid chamber and said thirdconduit.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an additionalvalve means disposed in said second conduit, said additional valve meansadapted to be manually actuated to connect said inlet to said fluidchamber.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flow switching chambercomprises, a power nozzle, a first switching chamber conduit, a secondswitching chamber conduit and a control port conduit, said firstswitching chamber conduit being connected between said flow switchingchamber and said fluid chamber to permit fluid flow between said flowswitching chamber and said fluid chamber to maintain said predeterminedpressure in said fluid chamber, said flow switching chamber power nozzlebeing arranged to receive flow from said first conduit, said controlport conduit being arranged to control flow in said flow switchingchamber first conduit and said flow switching chamber second conduit bydeflecting the fluid flow through said power nozzle from a firstposition in which said flow is directed toward said flow switchingchamber first conduit to a second position in which said flow isdirected towards said flow switching chamber second conduit, saidcontrol port conduit being said switching means in said flow switchingchamber responsive to a predetermined fluid flow.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said switching means comprises vent means registeringwith said flow switching chamber, and adapted to supply air to saidchamber to permit fluid flow between said first conduit and said fluidchamber.
 6. Apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a tank for saidfluid, said vent means extending into said tank and adapted to besubmerged upon the fluid reaching a predetermined level in said tank torestrict the supply of air to said chamber to effect said switching. 7.Apparatus for controlling fluid flow between an inlet and at least oneoutlet, said apparatus comprising a conduit connecting said inlet andoutlet, valve means disposed in said conduit and normally closed toprevent flow therethrough, actuating means directly connected to saidvalve means for moving said valve means to an open position, a fluidchamber, means in said fluid chamber responsive to a predetermined fluidpressure in said chamber for maintaining said valve means in said openposition, a fluidic flow switching chamber having at least one stablestate and connected between said conduit and said fluid chamber andnormally permitting fluid flow therebetween to maintain saidpredetermined pressure in said fluid chamber, and switching means insaid fluidic flow switching chamber responsive to a predetermined fluidflow from said outlet for switching fluid flow to and from said fluidchamber, and an additional conduit registering with said fluidic flowswitching chamber, said switching means adapted to switch fluid flowfrom between said fluid chamber and said additional conduit. 8.Apparatus for controlling fluid flow between an inlet and at least oneoutlet, said apparatus comprising a conduit connecting said inlet andoutlet, valve means disposed in said conduit and normally closed toprevent flow therethrough, actuating means directly connected to saidvalve means for moving said valve means to an open position, a fluidchamber, meanS in said fluid chamber responsive to a predetermined fluidpressure in said chamber for maintaining said valve means in said openposition, a fluidic flow switching chamber having at least one stablestate and connected between said conduit and said fluid chamber andnormally permitting fluid flow therebetween to maintain saidpredetermined pressure in said fluid chamber, and switching means insaid fluidic flow switching chamber responsive to a predetermined fluidflow from said outlet for switching fluid flow to and from said fluidchamber, and a tank for said fluid, said actuating means comprising aplunger extending outwardly from said tank and adapted to be actuatedmanually.
 9. Apparatus for controlling fluid flow between an inlet andat least one outlet, said apparatus comprising a conduit connecting saidinlet and outlet, valve means disposed in said conduit and normallyclosed to prevent flow therethrough, actuating means directly connectedto said valve means for moving said valve means to an open position, afluid chamber, means in said fluid chamber responsive to a predeterminedfluid pressure in said chamber for maintaining said valve means in saidopen position, a fluidic flow switching chamber having at least onestable state and connected between said conduit and said fluid chamberand normally permitting fluid flow therebetween to maintain saidpredetermined pressure in said fluid chamber, and switching means insaid fluidic flow switching chamber responsive to a predetermined fluidflow said outlet for switching fluid flow to and from said fluidchamber, and said switching means comprising a vent means registeringwith said fluidic flow switching chamber, and adapted to supply air tosaid chamber to permit fluid flow between said first conduit and saidfluid chamber, and a tank for said fluid, said vent means extending intosaid tank and adapted to be submerged upon the fluid reaching apredetermined level in said tank to restrict the supply of air to saidchamber to effect said switching.
 10. Apparatus for controlling fluidflow between an inlet and at least one outlet, said apparatus comprisinga conduit connecting said inlet and outlet, valve means disposed in saidconduit and normally closed to prevent flow therethrough, actuatingmeans directly connected to said valve means for moving said valve meansto an open position, a fluid chamber, means in said fluid chamberresponsive to a predetermined fluid pressure in said chamber formaintaining said valve means in said open position, a fluidic flowswitching chamber having at least one stable state and connected betweensaid conduit and said fluid chamber and normally permitting fluid flowtherebetween to maintain said predetermined pressure in said fluidchamber, and switching means in said fluidic flow switching chamberresponsive to a predetermined fluid flow from said outlet for switchingfluid flow to and from said fluid chamber, and said means formaintaining said valve means in said open position comprising adiaphragm disposed in said fluid chamber and connected to said valvemeans, said diaphragm being movable in response to changes in fluidpressure in said chamber, and a dash pot connected to said fluid chamberfor controlling the rate of fluid flow from said chamber.
 11. Apparatusfor controlling fluid flow between an inlet and at least one outlet,said apparatus comprising a conduit connecting said inlet and outlet,valve means disposed in said conduit and normally closed to prevent flowtherethrough, actuating means directly connected to said valve means formoving said valve means to an open position, a fluid chamber, means insaid fluid chamber responsive to a predetermined fluid pressure in saidchamber for maintaining said valve means in said open position, afluidic flow switching chamber having at least one stable state andconnected between said conduit and said fluid chamber and normallypermitting fluid flow therebetween to maintain said predeterminedpressure in said fluiD chamber, and switching means in said fluidic flowswitching chamber responsive to a predetermined fluid flow from saidoutlet for switching fluid flow to and from said fluid chamber, and saidmeans for maintaining said valve means in said open position comprisinga diaphragm disposed in said fluid chamber and connected to said valvemeans, said diaphragm being movable in response to changes in fluidpressure in said chamber, and an additional conduit connecting saidfluidic flow switching chamber and said fluid chamber, and a ball valvedisposed in said additional conduit for controlling the rate of fluidflow from said chamber.